| Abstract | The idea to create a special clinic for cardiac patients was born in the heads of experienced clinicians of the Ludwig-Maximilian University of Munich, where the first open-heart operation in Germany was performed by Prof.R.Zenker in 1958. This idea came true after a hospital with old tradition (Red Cross Hospital, built in 1870) had been rebuilt and supplied with modern medical equipment of highest standards. The work begun in 1973 in 7 departments (anesthesiology, adult and pediatric cardiology, laboratory medicine, cardiac surgery, experimental department for basic research and radiology), the first cardiac operation was performed April, 1974. The years that followed have witnessed many seasons of growth. The hospital employs now 88 physicians and scientists, 150 nurses and 257 technical and supportive personnel. In 1988 14,300 individuals were cared for in outpatient departments and 4,460 patients were treated in one of the departments. The hospital has 140 beds：92 adult and 48 pediatric ones, including 37 intensive care beds. Six intensive beds are reserved for patients following PTCA. In 1988 541 cases were treated with this method. The hospital is also dedicated to study diseases of the heart circulatory system. Also the renowned journal the "Herz" (heart) was founded in 1975 and since than is edited by the leading physicians of the hospital. |
|---|